#prehispanic mayan

[jadeseadragon]

Adela Breton (British, 1849-1923), Ruins at Chichen Itza, Yucatan Mexico (East facade of Monjas), 1902, watercolor.

[digitally enhanced]

[jadeseadragon]

Jean-Frédéric Maximilien de Waldeck (1766-1875) [a.k.a. Johann Friedrich von Waldeck], The Pyramid of Xochicalco, 1829; Fomento Cultural Banamex, Mexico City, Mexico.

A Bad Traveller

"Johann Friedrich von Waldeck was a painter and engraver in Prague who came to Mexico in 1826. He focused on the Mayan zone, meaning the Yucatán Peninsula. Unfortunately, he looted the zone and sent pieces to Europe. For this, he was forced to leave the country. In Paris, he published Picturesque and archaeological trip to the province of Yucatán between 1834 and 1836. His book also caused him problems in Mexico."

"The language that he used expressed contempt, from the descriptions of everyday life to the titles of his lithographs. Mexicans considered these expressions offensive and critics deemed him a bad traveler. Nonetheless, due to the quality of Waldeck’s work, his images were used in publications. However, the editors made a few modifications. For example, one of his images titled Smuggler Inland Indian appeared in the magazine as Yucatecan Indian. The silver lining to him and his antics was that his actions sparked the defense of Mexican cultural heritage by authorities and writers."